Hormuz closure possible measure on Iran Parliament agenda

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Jan 2023 13:30
1 Shares

Iranian threats to close the vital shipping channel have been revived in response to EU Parliament's measure against Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)

A member of the Iranian Parliament threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers in retaliation against the European Parliament's measure targeting Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

This is happening days after members of the European Parliament demanded that the EU classify Iran's IRGC as a "terrorist" organization.

Last Wednesday, the European Parliament held a session and voted on this proposal noting that the results are non-binding.

The vote was approved with 598 members voting in favor, 9 against, and 31 abstentions.

Vice Chairman of the Internal Affairs and Councils Commission in the Parliament Mohammad Hassan Asfari stated that such European measures have no other output except that they create pessimism among Iranian nationals.

"We will definitely not remain silent either. Closing the Strait of Hormuz is on the agenda of the parliament," he tersely stated.

"If the Europeans are going to treat our armed forces and official forces like this [terrorists], we will also put other options on the table, including restricting the traffic of European commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in the form of an urgent plan in the parliament," Asfari added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he advised Europeans "to cancel their decision before it is too late."

On his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told EU's Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell last Thursday that IRGC is a sovereign, state apparatus and plays an important role in securing Iranian national security, regional security, and fighting terrorism.

Elsewhere, Amir-Abdollahian tersely stated that the EU Parliament's measure against this Iranian security institution is akin to Europe shooting itself in the foot.

On his account, Borrell told Amir-Abdollahian that "although the EU Parliament is an independent institution, the draft resolution lacks executive strength and only reflects only European fears."